An abortion referendum took place in Portugal on 11 February 2007, to decide whether to legalise abortion up to ten weeks. The referendum was the fulfillment of an election pledge by the governing Socialist Party of Prime Minister José Sócrates."Portugal will legalise abortion." (12 February 2007). BBC News. Retrieved 12 February 2007.

Official results of the referendum showed that 59.24 percent of the Portuguese approved the proposal put on ballot, while 40.76 percent rejected it. However, only 43.61 percent of the registered voters turned out to vote. Since voter turnout was below 50 percent, according to the Portuguese Constitution, these results are not legally binding, and parliament can legally decide to disregard them. Prime Minister Sócrates nevertheless confirmed that he would expand the circumstances under which abortion was allowed, since a majority of voters had been in favour.

The law was ratified by President Aníbal Cavaco Silva on 10 April 2007. As of 2026, this is the most recent referendum held in Portugal.

Background In 1998, the legalization of abortion had also been put to a referendum. However, a small majority voted NO, 51 to 49 percent, and abortion legalization was not implemented.

Question The question in the referendum was:

Under the previous law, abortions were allowed up 12 weeks if the mother's life or mental or physical health is at risk, up to 16 weeks in cases of rape and up to 24 weeks if the child may be born with an incurable disease or deformity. The new law, approved on 9 March 2007, allows abortions on request up to the tenth week." Portuguese MPs vote for abortion." (9 March 2007). BBC News. Retrieved 18 April 2007.

Political positions The major parties in Portugal listed with their political positioning and their official answer to the referendum question:

Left Portuguese Communist Party – YES Left Bloc – YES Ecologist Party "The Greens" – YES Socialist Party – YES Right Social Democratic Party – NEUTRAL (the party was divided, however, important members, including the then leader, Luís Marques Mendes, said NO) People's Party – NO

Campaign period

Choices slogans Choice Original slogan English translation Refs Yes « O voto responsável, Sim. »« Vota para acabar com a injustiça da lei. » "Yes, the responsible vote""Vote to end the injustice of the law." No « Não, Obrigada. » « Escolhe a vida. » "No, Thank you""Choose Life."

Opinion polling A December 2006 Aximage/Correio da Manhã poll had found that 61 percent of Portugal's electorate supported the proposal, 26 percent did not, and 12 percent were "not sure"."." (9 January 2007). Angus Reid Global Monitor. Retrieved 10 January 2006. An earlier survey from October 2006 had yielded similar results."Portuguese Would Vote to Legalize Abortion." ( 2 November 2006). Angus Reid Global Monitor. Retrieved 11 January 2006. However, a poll from mid-January 2007 had seen support drop to 38 to 28 percent in favour."." (29 January 2007). Angus Reid Global Monitor. Retrieved 12 February 2007.

Polling Firm Date Released Sample sizeDirect Intention of VoteValid Vote Yes No Lead Yes No Lead Referendum results 11 Feb 2007 43.6 59.3 40.7 18.6 CESOP–UCP 11 Feb 2007 57–61 39–43 18 Eurosondagem 11 Feb 2007 58.0–61.8 38.2–42.0 19.8 Intercampus 11 Feb 2007 57.6–62.6 37.4–42.4 20.2 Aximage 7 Feb 2007 801 52.6 41.5 5.9 11.1 56 44 12 Eurosondagem 5 Feb 2007 2,059 46.5 41.0 12.5 6.2 53.1 46.9 5.5 TNS Eurotest 5 Feb 2007 1,000 52.8 37.1 10.1 15.7 59 41 18 CESOP–UCP 4 Feb 2007 3,806 49 34 17 15 58 42 16 Aximage 2 Feb 2007 601 51.3 43.7 5.0 7.6 54 46 8 IPOM 24 Jan 2007 697 45.6 37.2 17.2 8.4 55 45 10 CESOP–UCP 22 Jan 2007 1,257 48 35 17 13 59 41 18 Marktest 19 Jan 2007 821 54.0 33.4 12.6 20.6 61.8 38.2 23.6 Aximage 18 Jan 2007 500 55.6 29.8 14.6 25.8 65 35 30 Eurosondagem 16 Jan 2007 2,569 43 36 22 7.0 52.5 47.5 5 Aximage 9 Jan 2007 550 57.0 34.8 8.1 22.2 62 38 24 Intercampus 9 Jan 2007 1,525 60.0 29.0 11.0 31.0 67 33 34 Aximage 20 Dec 2006 502 61.0 26.7 12.3 34.3 70 30 40 Aximage 7 Dec 2006 550 64.1 27.3 8.6 36.8 70 30 40 Marktest 15 Nov 2006 808 61.2 30.0 8.8 31.2 67.1 32.9 34.2 Intercampus 24 Oct 2006 514 66.9 27.6 5.4 39.3 71 29 42 Marktest 21 Oct 2006 809 63.0 27.0 10.0 36.0 70 30 40 Eurosondagem 17 Oct 2006 1,033 46.0 39.0 16.0 7.0 51.7 48.3 3.4 CESOP–UCP 15 Oct 2006 1,282 63 25 12 38 72 28 44 Aximage 4 Oct 2006 550 47.9 39.9 12.2 8.0 55 45 10

Results

Results by district

District Yes No Turnout Votes % Votes %   Aveiro 110,644 44.62% 137,312 55.38% 42.29%   Azores 17,022 30.66% 38,489 69.34% 29.54%   Beja 45,028 83.90% 8,641 16.10% 39.82%   Braga 132,507 41.35% 187,911 58.65% 46.20%   Bragança 20,445 40.75% 29,722 59.25% 34.07%   Castelo Branco 45,976 61.65% 28,601 38.35% 40.15%   Coimbra 92,828 62.89% 54,769 37.11% 40.04%   Évora 48,274 78.38% 13,312 21.62% 43.00%   Faro 89,132 73.92% 31,440 26.08% 38.78%   Guarda 27,725 46.53% 31,865 53.47% 38.27%   Leiria 97,292 58.30% 69,585 41.70% 43.76%   Lisbon 607,419 71.47% 242,467 28.53% 48.67%   Madeira 30,209 34.60% 57,091 65.40% 38.89%   Portalegre 30,507 74.45% 10,478 25.55% 38.92%   Porto 350,868 54.36% 294,599 45.64% 44.86%   Santarém 109,051 65.11% 58,434 34.89% 44.16%   Setúbal 259,684 81.99% 57,032 18.01% 48.77%   Viana do Castelo 37,096 40.71% 54,023 59.29% 39.54%   Vila Real 28,871 38.09% 46,921 61.91% 34.28%   Viseu 50,931 38.32% 81,977 61.68% 37.71% Source: Comissão Nacional de Eleições

See also

Abortion law

References

External links Comissão Nacional de Eleições Results of the referendum